Election Day: Get out, vote on TIF issue

April 24, 2007

Today's the day: Election Day - be sure to get out and vote. It's always important to vote, but it is particularly important to vote in this election. Voters will be asked to vote yes or no on establishing TIF No. 1 to create a tax increment financing district, establish boundaries for that district and adopt the project plan put in place by Northern Beef Packers. The company, a local entity, intends to open a $40 million beef processing plant by spring 2008. The location would be about a mile south of Aberdeen, immediately west of the city's wastewater treatment plant. If granted a TIF, Northern Beef Packers and other businesses in the district would pay full property taxes. However, once collected by the county, most of the taxes would go to repay bonds that helped finance construction costs. The company would have up to 20 years to pay off the bonds. Once the bonds are paid off, the substantially increased property tax dollars will go to local governments. Here's the thing: This election is vitally important to the future of Aberdeen and the surrounding region. It's outcome will - literally - determine what is on the city's horizon. At the end of the day, voters will have decided if a TIF district will be created. Creating that district will enable the beef plant to grow in our area. Denying that district puts up a roadblock to the possibility of that sort of economic growth. We believe voting for the TIF is voting for the entire region's economic growth and stability - we've been clear about that for quite some time. If you agree with us - vote. If you don't agree with us - vote. Even if you don't think you care one way or the other; educate yourself on the issue and - you guessed it - vote. That is the beauty of the election process: Every voter's "voice" is heard through his or her participation in the ballot booth. Elections give us all an opportunity to shape the future of our community. Don't miss out. Get out there and cast your vote.